Candidate for
Council Member; City of Pasadena; District 2

Israel Estrada was born in Glendale, California on January 23, 1976. Soon after his birth, the entire Estrada family moved to Mexico City, where they resided until Israel turned nine. In 1985, the Estrada's returned to the City of Pasadena, and Israel began his 5th school year at Allendale Elementary School, in Pasadena with his younger brother Irving. Upon completion of elementary school Israel joined his older brother, Jose, at Wilson Middle School. Having graduated from middle school, he went on to Pasadena High School, participated on the Cross Country team and eventually transferred to Blair High School where he played baseball. While at school, Israel also learned the value of hard work and commitment by maintaining part time employment at a local auto body shop, and later at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium as an usher. Due to a serious hand injury, Israel was unable to complete the remaining course work the last semester of his senior year.

Too young to immediately attend adult school, he attended Glendale Community College, and on March 3, 1995 he attained his high school diploma and immediately joined the United States Marine Corps. On March 7, 1995 he reported for training to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. Upon graduating Recruit Training with honors, he reported to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, and also completed Marine Combat Training. Israel soon reported for training to Military Police School at Fort McClelland, Alabama. After graduating in the top three of his class and as the Class High Shooter, he received orders for duty to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. While serving with the Provost Marshal's Office aboard the air station, he served as a Gate Sentry, Patrolman, Patrol Supervisor, and was selected to serve on the Special Enforcement Branch Team. Meanwhile, he became an Emergency Medical Technician, and attended Irvine Valley College on his off-duty time. In July 1997 he was summoned to Naval Air Station Miramar, and was hand picked for a select group of Military Police personnel to help the air station transition from a Naval base to a Marine base. While aboard the air station he served as a Gate Sentry, Patrolman, Patrol Supervisor, Watch Commander, Officer in Charge of the Vehicle Registration Section, Officer in Charge of the Armory, and also helped to form the Special Reaction Team for the new base. He was selected to attend the coveted San Diego Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics school where he was the only Marine, and one of the youngest graduates in the history of the program. Israel also attended the U. S. Army's Special Reaction Team School, and was named Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter.

He continued his off-duty education at San Diego Community College and actively participated in several volunteer organizations. On February 1999, he received orders to Okinawa, Japan, and reported for duty to the Provost Marshal's Office. He was immediately assigned to the Special Reaction Team as the Explosive Breacher, and was also the Assistant Team Leader. While in Japan he also served as a Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant for different deployments to Korea, and Australia. In August 2000, Israel reported to his last unit, Military Police Company, Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Commander, and lastly as Training Chief. During his time as a Training Chief, Israel also served as a representative for his unit on different committees, including the Non-Commissioned Officers Symposium in which issues that affected the entire Marine Corps were discussed. The findings were proposed to the Commanding General and then brought before the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. Israel is now looking forward to serving the City of Pasadena by bringing all of his resources to the City Council.